Medford, NJ – October 2, 2015 – Flu season is coming and seniors, because of weakened immune systems that come with age, are at greater risk for contracting the flu and having serious complications from it. To help reduce their risk, APFC Home Care is offering some helpful tips to help seniors avoid catching the flu or having serious side effects if they do.
“The vast majority of flu-related deaths occur in the elderly,” says Brett Summerville, Managing Partner at APFC Home Care. “As a company dedicated to the health and well-being of seniors, we wanted to make people aware of what they can do to protect themselves.”
APFC Home Care offers these tips to help seniors stay safe this flu season.
- Get vaccinated. Nearly everyone agrees that the best way to avoid getting the flu is to get a flu shot as soon as it’s available and no later than October, if possible. Flu vaccines are often updated to protect against new strains, so just because you got a shot last year doesn’t mean you’re safe this year. And while a flu shot doesn’t guarantee you won’t get the flu, if you do, it will most likely lessen the severity of symptoms.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick. This can be challenging, but if you see someone with obvious symptoms, avoid them if you can.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. This is one of the most effective ways to avoid spreading the virus. Soap and water are more effective than alcohol-based gels and lotions, so if you have a choice, opt for the former.
- If you start having symptoms, see your doctor immediately. Your doctor can prescribe medication to ease the effects of the flu and make other recommendations to help protect you.
“With all the heightened awareness and attention on flu prevention, there’s more help for seniors than ever before,” says Summerville. “The important thing is talk to your doctor about your flu risk and follow his or her recommendations to help prevent it.”
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